Cross-border Impact Assessment 2023, Dossier 2: Transnational Infrastructure projects: Ambitions, sectors, instruments and effect on border regions,

The second dossier of ITEM's impact assessment 2023 was dedicated to transnational Infrastructure projects that cross the borders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. In the case of hydrogen infrastructure, waterways and rail infrastructure, there is an understanding that due to climate change ambitions and legal obligations, this kind of infrastructure needs to be realised in a relatively short time frame. Or, as in the case of the Einstein telescope in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion, spatial planning decisions, permits and subsidies need to be synchronised across borders to avoid damaging delays and shortcomings. This border impact dossier examined the various projects and ambitions and the central question: do we have the right tools to tackle these kinds of cross-border challenges? There are several obstacles detected as common problems for the mentioned infrastructure projects, ranging from spatial planning, permitting and subsidy schemes.